‘It is suffering from same ailment as the BJP’. Ms. Gandhi cautioned people against voting such parties to power as they dilly-dallied on every issue. She criticised the TRS for its opportunistic stand on various issues.

All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi said on Sunday that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi may join hands with communal forces like the Bharatiya Janata Party in the coming days.

“There is no guarantee that the TRS will not join hands with communal forces. The TRS has been changing its stand frequently and we have seen such overtures in the past too,” Ms. Gandhi said while addressing an impressive gathering at an election meeting here.

She criticised the TRS for its opportunistic stand on various issues.

“The TRS is suffering from the same ailment as the BJP. The party is leader-centric not people centred. The leaders don’t think any thing beyond their family welfare,” she said.

Ms. Gandhi cautioned people against voting such parties to power as they dilly-dallied on every issue. She asked people to think twice before casting their votes in this election as this would be the deciding factor for their future.

She criticised the TRS for its threatening and provocative talk and said Congress alone was capable of taking all sections on board in the development process.

She asserted that the votes cast for Congress would surely put the new State on the road to peace, economic development and equality for all.

“The days of struggle are over, it is now time for a responsible government to take the new state on the path of accelerated development. The Congress accordingly, prepared a comprehensive road map for the development of Telangana and the plans include setting up of 4000 MW power plant, tax holiday for 10 years and according national project status for Pranahita-Chevella and Palamur lift irrigation schemes.

She said there is also an action plan envisaging Rs 40,000 crore for irrigation and other developmental activities in north Telangana region.

Ms. Gandhi recalled how the Congress had put up all out efforts in making the long cherished dream of Telangana a reality.

It was difficult to convince leaders of different political parties and arrive at a consensus.

“Problems kept cropping up every passing day as parties including the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress went back on their promises. The Congress was aware of losses it could suffer politically in granting Telangana but the party remained firm on fulfilling its promise given to the people of the region,” she said.

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Workers carryingout repairs to Visakhapatnam District Collector's Office, as it was damaged in Cyclone Hudhud in 2014 October. The majestic heritage building was designed and built by Dutch engineering company Gannon Dunkerly in 1865 and completed by 1914. Photos: C.V. Subrahmanyam